The more things change...
by Andrew Feinstein on Dec 5, 2008 1:01 AM MST
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Unfortunately for the Nuggets, the team with the real dinosaurs on their roster - the Spurs - are a hell of a lot better than the team with dinosaurs on their jerseys - the Raptors.Before diving into tonight's recap, I want to serve up a brief disclaimer. I'm only writing more about tonight's loss than I've written about the recent spate of wins because I actually have time to do so. I've had a hellish week and for the first time since the Hornets game last Thursday, finally had time to just watch a game without being distracted, take it all in and give it a thorough review.
And of course it was the worst game the Nuggets have played since the Cleveland game a few weeks ago.
So what should we make of this blowout loss at home to the NBA's version of "Jurassic Park"? Was it just an aberration in an otherwise terrific run of victories? Or does this loss, combined with the Hornets loss at home last Thursday, mean that our Nuggets just aren't as good as we think they are and still need to improve in many areas? My hunch is that its somewhere in the middle.
What scares me about tonight's outcome is that its yet another loss to a real NBA team. Excluding the Nuggets amazing victory at Boston, who exactly have the Nuggets beaten this season? At home, that would be the Mavericks, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Bucks, Bulls, Rockets (minus Tracy McGrady) and Raptors (whose players did everything in their power to get their coach fired...and succeeded!). And on the road, the Clippers (twice), Timberwolves, Spurs (minus two starters) and the Bobcats. In case you're scoring at home, those teams have won 40% of their games combined.
And the losses? Road games against the Warriors, Cavaliers, Jazz and Lakers. And home games against the Lakers, Spurs and Hornets. Those teams have won 58% of their games combined.
Again, I'm not trying to be overly negative here nor am I pushing the panic button after losing to a team of guys who kicked off the Cenozoic Era. But tonight's loss should be a reality check for the fans, the Denver sports media and hopefully for Coach Karl and the Nuggets players, too, that the Western Conference remains dangerous. Really dangerous.
Even though the Nuggets have had a great ride throughout the first quarter of the season, they're neck-and-neck with the Trailblazers and Jazz and only two games ahead of the ninth-seeded Suns. Its going to require a consistent, spirited effort and lots of focus for our Nuggets to secure something better than a seventh or eighth seed. And taking nights off at home just isn't going to cut it.
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by Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 1:22 AM MST reply actions
by Riso on Dec 5, 2008 1:29 AM MST reply actions
One thing is for sure if Kmart plays with a good pure point guard, the guy can finish. He was great with J Kidd and looks improved with Billups.
by Simon on Dec 5, 2008 2:43 AM MST reply actions
Bruce Bowen will retire in a couple of years, and then Carmelo will be able to finally have his way against San Antonio.
In the meantime, you just have to play the waiting game.
-----
January 9th, baby. January 9th...
by Petey on Dec 5, 2008 5:17 AM MST reply actions
It's absolutely necessary win the next 3 games, without excuse, just have to win them, and then, we have to try to win 2 of the 3 games that come next, which are, Dallas, Houston and Cavs (Cavs in Denver, the other 2 on the road)
The next week can change the frustrated sensation we have now, or can make it worse, throwing all the hype we had down.
Let's hope we can win at least 4, and hopefully 5 of the next 6 games, but it's gonna be very tough...
Go Nuggets!
by Lucas Navarrete on Dec 5, 2008 6:22 AM MST reply actions
I don't know what to make of it, really.
1) I could say that we have 60-some games left, a lot of time to grow as a team.
2) I could say that thus far the Nuggets have beaten only 1 elite team (Boston) and have lost to all others (Lakers, Hornets, Spurs). (Note-Dallas, not elite. San Antonio without Manu/Paker, not elite. Houston without T-Mac, not elite.)
3) I could try to rationalize it, citing the fact that basically quarters 1,3, and 4, the Nuggies and Spurs played even last night. It was just that 31-15 2nd quarter that screwed the Nuggets. One bad quarter of basketball, and that every team will go through that.
I just don't know.
by Chris C. on Dec 5, 2008 7:16 AM MST reply actions
The entire team and coaching staff needs to watch the game tape of this one about 20 times to try to understand why what little discipline there is on offense falls apart in the face of strong adversity.
What a nightmare game. Not time to pull the ripcord yet though. I'm going to blame part of this simply on a poor shooting night for the Nuggets. But I still am concerned this team has a serious mental weakness when trailing strong teams.
by JTR on Dec 5, 2008 7:31 AM MST reply actions
Hopefully Karl shows the team how much they stood around on offense and went 1 on 1, and how slow they rotated on defense, and hopefully they understand that's why they lost, and improve on those area's next time.
Of course, this is the 4th year in a row the same thing happened, but, you know, hopefully this time they learn.
by John on Dec 5, 2008 7:34 AM MST reply actions
by DiscoHands on Dec 5, 2008 8:08 AM MST reply actions
"I wouldn't worry too much.
Bruce Bowen will retire in a couple of years, and then Carmelo will be able to finally have his way against San Antonio.
In the meantime, you just have to play the waiting game."
Please tell me you are joking! Ok, not going to say anymore because you have to be joking. Quite funny :)
by DiscoHands on Dec 5, 2008 8:10 AM MST reply actions
Agreed. Thank God for Chauncey:
Said Billups (before last night's game): "I'm not going to let (the media) or us think that we're better than we are. We are getting better, but we've still got a long ways to go."
by Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 9:25 AM MST reply actions
by sean on Dec 5, 2008 9:37 AM MST reply actions
by LB47 on Dec 5, 2008 9:48 AM MST reply actions
What no one seems to see is that the nuggets let the refs beat them like in the past. They got deflated when they realized the refs weren't calling things their way.
I dont think Billups was prepared for this and didn't know how to rally the team. I hope he has a talk with Melo and teaches him to not let the calls get in his head.
We all know the reffing in the NBA is bad and calls are based upon reputation, the sooner Melo and the nugs learn to live with that and keep mentally in the game is when the nuggets can start beating the top tier teams.
by james b.(seattle) on Dec 5, 2008 9:56 AM MST reply actions
Admittedly, the formula for a 60 win season or better includes the above conditions as well as beating the NBA elite at least 1/2 the time, which the Nuggets have failed to do so far this season. But I think they are on the right track for a 55 win season.
by Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 10:23 AM MST reply actions
by Zachm219 on Dec 5, 2008 11:14 AM MST reply actions
The Nuggs got "punched in the mouth", & didn't know how to respond.
'Melo needs to assert himself offensively, & the future gameplans will keep that in mind.
Chauncey had an "off" night!
GK will try to get more time & opportunity for Balkman. He's a good "energy" guy!
They'll go back to the drawing board, & put this one in the rearview mirror.
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Time to refocus, & get ready for the next game.
Nuff' said!
by Cliche Bob on Dec 5, 2008 11:55 AM MST reply actions
* And one more thing. Has anyone else noticed that whenever we play a team with a better record or just a great team (other than the Celtics) we just seem to loose all of our confidence? I think the Nuggets have some sort of inferiority complex or something along those lines. I mean, how else could you explain how bad we play when we play teams like the Lakers, Spurs and Cavs? The good thing; we don't have to play these types of teams all but a few times a year. The bad thing; this is a true sign of a loosing team at heart and in order to make the playoffs we can't afford to simply loose to these teams every time we meet them.
by Goldennugget on Dec 5, 2008 12:52 PM MST reply actions
by Goldennugget on Dec 5, 2008 12:57 PM MST reply actions
by KaiserSoze on Dec 5, 2008 1:29 PM MST reply actions
I think the Nuggets have some sort of inferiority complex...
Nope. It's Karl!
He is consistantly out-coached, almost every game. His team pulls out wins, and I honestly think that Chauncey is coaching this team. I've heard a number of quotes from player interviews, and Karl himself say "it's like having a coach on the court" with Chauncey. Too bad for the team Chauncey can't call all of the shots, and substitions.
by joelsopinion on Dec 5, 2008 2:44 PM MST reply actions
by Goldennugget on Dec 5, 2008 7:19 PM MST reply actions
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